The
9.0 earthquake that struck the Tohoku-Pacific region was an extraordinarily
large earthquake. I have been deeply hurt by the miserable situation in the
affected areas. The number of deaths from earthquakes and tsunamis has increased
day by day, and we do not know yet how many victims we will eventually have. I
pray for the survival of as many people as possible.

I am also deeply concerned
about the situation at the nuclear power plant, as no one can predict
what will happen next. It is my deepest hope that, by the effort of
all those people concerned, the current situation can be prevented from becoming
any worse.

Currently, a nationwide
rescue operation is taking place. However, under the severely cold
weather, many evacuees have been placed in an unavoidable situation
where they are subject to extreme suffering, due to the lack of food,
drinking water, fuel, and so on. I truly hope that by making the
greatest effort possible to rescue the victims promptly we can improve
their lives as much as possible. And, hopefully, these efforts we will
be able to encourage the victims and offer them hope, as they try to
recover.

More than anything, I am
deeply impressed by the courageousness of people who have survived the
disaster, encouraging themselves as victims, and trying to live for tomorrow.
We have people working for our nation and local self-governing bodies, such as
self-defense forces, police, fire fighters, and the Japan Coast Guard,
rescuers from other countries, and people who belong to various relief
organizations in Japan. These people have been working day and night to
move the rescue operation forward despite the fact that they are under
the dangerous situation of aftershocks. I am deeply grateful for these
relief efforts, and I would like to show my appreciation for their
efforts.

I have received telegrams
of sympathy from heads of state around the world, one after another,
whose words indicate that their nations’ hearts and deep emotions are
with the victims of this disaster. I will convey this message to people
in the affected areas.

I have been informed that
there are many people abroad discussing how calm the Japanese have
remained -- helping one another, and showing disciplined conduct, even
though they are in deep grief. I hope from the bottom of my heart that
we can continue working together, helping and being considerate of
one another to overcome this unfortunate period.

I believe it is important
that we all share to the fullest extent, and in as many ways as possible,
the burden of these forthcoming days of suffering. I pray for the
victims to never give up their hopes, to take care of themselves, and
to live through tomorrow onwards. Also, I sincerely pray for every single
person in Japan to continue thinking of the affected areas, having one’s
heart with the victims, and watching over the recovery process in various
regions.